A leading expert in health law and safety has been appointed to lead Waitemata DHB’s ongoing delivery of high quality patient care.

Dr Penny Andrew starts at the end of the month as the DHB’s new Clinical Leader for Quality. In the role, she will be leading the Quality team to further improve the DHB’s systems and processes, and to enhance the patient experience.

After an international search, Professor John Fraser has been appointed as Dean of Medical and Health Sciences at The University of Auckland, becoming both the first alumnus and the first non-clinician to hold the position.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey announced today that Professor Hamish Spencer, from the University of Otago, is to be the next director of the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution.

Two people with a wealth of skills in governance and strong connections to the gay and HIV positive communities have been appointed to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) Trust Board. Alastair Cameron, NZAF Trust Board Chair announced today that Vaughan Meneses and Stephen Rainbow joined the Trust Board, as a Co-opted Board Member and Appointed Trustee respectively, at the Board’s first meeting of the year in February.

Heather Roy is to Chair Medicines New Zealand, the industry association for innovative pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand.

Southern Cross Health Society has appointed Justin Vaughan to the role of Head of Clinical Operations. The not-for-profit Society is New Zealand’s largest health insurer with 830,000 members.

Abano Healthcare Group Limited has announced that independent director, Susan Paterson, has been appointed as deputy chair.

Wellington lawyer Alan Henwood has been elected President of Arthritis New Zealand.

Mike Ward is the new PHO Alliance chairman following the retirement of Hamish Kynoch who held the role since the organisation became an Incorporated Society in 2006.

Mr Reuben Johnson has been appointed as a senior lecturer in neurosurgery at the Dunedin School of Medicine and consultant neurosurgeon at Dunedin Hospital, the University of Otago announced today.

Albany based national individualised funding provider Manawanui InCharge is pleased to announce the appointment of Marsha Marshall as its new Chief Executive

The announced appointment today of Paul Gibson as the first Disability Human Rights Commissioner is a major development in the realising of human rights for disabled New Zealanders, says DPA, the national pan disability organisation and collective voice of disabled people.

An outstanding specialist on infectious diseases has been appointed to a second endowed professorial chair in the Centre for International Health at the University of Otago. He is Associate Professor John Crump, who currently heads a research centre in Tanzania for the Duke University Medical Center and the Duke Global Health Institute.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the appointment of Ms Theo Baker, as new Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner.

Maori health leader Matiu Julian (Nga Ruahine, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi, Ngati Tu Mango) has been appointed to the national position of Pouarahi Maori, or Maori Manager, at the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC).